Dubai Average Software Developer Salaries in 2024

Understanding Software Engineer Salaries in Dubai

Navigating the complex salary landscape for software engineers in Dubai can be challenging, as figures vary significantly according to sources like Levels.fyi, Glassdoor, and Payscale.

This guide is designed to clarify the typical compensation for software engineers in this area.

Guide’s Objective

This document is crafted to give tech professionals a definitive understanding of expected salaries in the UAE. It outlines the actual compensation for software developers in Dubai, noting differences across various company categories.

Overview

Typically, a senior software engineer with more than five years of experience at a leading company in Dubai earns about $114,000 USD per year. For those seeking positions that offer similar or higher salaries, then check out our Dubai software engineering job listings here. Additionally, our Dubai Software Engineer Salary and Cost of Living Calculator can provide personalized salary estimates. However, it’s beneficial to continue with this guide, as it further explores how compensation varies depending on experience and the type of employer.

Common Misunderstandings

Salary guides often fail to accurately represent typical salaries in Dubai, frequently due to the inclusion of unreliable data. For instance, Payscale reports a wide salary range for senior software engineers, from $8,447 to $113,352 USD annually, which reflects data amalgamation from diverse company types.

Company Classifications in Dubai

Dubai’s business landscape typically divides into two main groups:

Top Companies:

• These companies produce high-quality products and offer competitive pay to attract global talent. Major players include corporations like Microsoft, Oracle, Amazon, and dynamic startups such as Talabat, Careem, and Noon.

Budget Companies:

• These organizations operate with constrained budgets and usually provide lower salaries. They often employ individuals with less expertise or skill and are frequently agencies, small consultancies, or businesses in sectors not primarily focused on software, like construction and real estate.

The Issue with Averaging Salaries

Calculating average salaries across both prestigious and budget-oriented companies can distort the actual compensation landscape. It is more accurate to analyze salaries based on company type.

How Various Websites Report Salaries in Dubai

• Levels.fyi: Mainly focuses on salaries from top-tier companies.
• Glassdoor: Captures data from both premium and budget companies.
• Salary Expert: Targets salaries from high-end companies.
• Gulf Talent: Predominantly features budget-oriented companies.
• Payscale: Merges data from all company types.

Realistic Salary Projections

Based on data from various sources, here are feasible salary ranges for software engineers in Dubai by company type:

Top Companies (2024):

• Junior Software Engineer: $38,000 — $49,000 USD (AED 140,000 — AED 180,000)
• Mid-Level Software Engineer: $60,000 — $85,000 USD (AED 220,000 — AED 310,000)
• Senior Software Engineer: $91,000 — $136,000 USD (AED 330,000 — AED 500,000)
• Engineering Manager: $125,000 — $204,000 USD (AED 460,000 — AED 750,000)

Budget Companies (2024):

• Junior Software Engineer: $9,500 — $19,000 USD (AED 35,000 — AED 70,000)
• Mid-Level Software Engineer: $17,700 — $32,700 USD (AED 65,000 — AED 120,000)
• Senior Software Engineer: $35,400 — $49,000 USD (AED 130,000 — AED 180,000)
• Engineering Manager: $49,000 — $68,000 USD (AED 180,000 — AED 250,000)

Conclusion

Dubai continues to offer competitive salaries for software engineers, particularly in top-tier companies. Although the wages may not compare with Silicon Valley’s, the tax-free earnings and reduced living costs make Dubai a desirable location. For an in-depth review of the tech salary trends in Dubai, you might want to participate in our tech worker’s salary survey.

Further Resources

For additional details, view our comprehensive guide on securing a software engineering position with a top Dubai company, or start your job search for software engineering roles in Dubai today.